Methodology Process

Best Lawyers has employed the same transparent methodology for more than 30 years. We are purely peer review™.

Our Methodology

Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible,
the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area
and legal practice area.

Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and
substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is
directly related to the quality of the voters.

"Lawyer of the Year"

Additional recognitions are also awarded to individual lawyers with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific
practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized as the "Lawyer of the Year" for each specialty and location.

"Law Firm of the Year"

Best Lawyers has launched a new firm award in select markets, titled "Law Firm of the Year." These awards are country and practice area specific.
They are determined based on a handful of factors, including: feedback from lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers on individual lawyer and firm-wide work, the size and coverage of the firm in a specific practice area,
historical analysis of the firm’s “Lawyer of the Year” awards in this area, and research surrounding the firm’s overall scope and areas of expertise.

Our Process

1

Nomination

Lawyers can be nominated by anyone but themselves.

2

Peer Review

Currently recognized lawyers provide feedback on the caliber of candidate's work.

3

Analysis of Feedback

Results are collected and feedback from voters is reviewed.

4

Eligibility Check

Candidates are confirmed to be in good standing with their local bar associations.

5

Results Released

Firms are informed of the results and the newly recognized lawyers are published in print and online.

Best Lawyers Lexicon

Nominee or Candidate

A nominee is a person who has been submitted for consideration to be recognized for their legal talent in one of our Best Lawyers publications.

Nominees will appear on voter ballots for confidential peer evaluation.

Nominees will be asked to participate in the peer evaluation process in the next research cycle once they receive enough positive reviews from their peers and are recognized by Best Lawyers for their top legal talent.